Electronic shipping label with updateable visual display

ABSTRACT

A novel shipping label is described that includes an electronically updateable visual display that can be updated throughout the shipping process to provide routing instructions to package handlers. Instructions shown on the updateable display can provide such information as an indication of a particular conveyor belt or vehicle or a particular location in a vehicle for the package to be placed. A label interface device for updating the new shipping label is also described herein along with systems for updating the shipping label over the course of the package delivery. In addition, novel methods of providing shipping services that are made possible by these devices and systems are included in the disclosure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to provisional U.S. patent applicationNo. 60/561,958 filed Apr. 13, 2004 entitled Electronic Shipping Label.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

While complex sorting mechanisms, conveyor systems, and other machineryare commonly involved in routing packages in the package deliveryindustry, many steps still exist where packages are handled by humanpackage service providers who perform manual steps to properly routeparcels to their intended destination. These steps may occur during anyportion of the delivery process, but commonly occur while the package isbeing processed at a package delivery company hub. Here the packages canbe routed to vehicles for transportation to another hub or sent to beloaded onto parcel delivery vehicles for final delivery at theirdestinations.

Often, a manual routing step requires that a human package serviceprovider have detailed knowledge and/or experience regarding the packagedelivery and routing process. For example, a package service providermight be required to determine whether a package should be sent to aparcel delivery vehicle, or instead forwarded on to another hub based onthe destination zip code found on the shipping label of the package.Another example would be a package service provider determining where ona package delivery vehicle to place a package once the proper deliveryvehicle has been determined. Developing the knowledge to be able to makerepeated determinations such as these can require substantial training.Even after adequate training, mistakes can occasionally occur that causedelays in package delivery times.

The training required for a package service provider to become efficientat his or her manual routing duties can be costly in terms of both timeand money. In addition, the cost associated with this training becomesan obstacle to changes in delivery processes/operations. That is, hubprocesses tend to remain static where such manual steps are involved.Potentially beneficial process improvements that cannot provide abenefit greater than the cost of retraining affected package serviceproviders are generally not implemented.

Additional package shipping data beyond that contained on a packageshipping label itself commonly resides in one or more package shippingcompany databases, stored in one or more tables using the packagetracking number as the primary key. This information can containadditional routing information that would ease the human memory burdenon package service providers if the information were available to thepackage service providers. In addition, the information contained in theshipping company databases can be dynamic. That is, informationregarding the package can change during the delivery process. Forexample, a customer may wish to receive a higher level of service thanwas previously indicated, or even send the package to a differentaddress than was initially indicated.

However, providing all package service providers in a package deliveryenterprise with access to the additional package shipping data in thedatabase(s) would require that each of these employees be given, forexample, a terminal that could retrieve information from the database(s)regarding a given package based on the package tracking number read fromthe package by reading a barcode or radio frequency identification tag.Unfortunately such equipment would be too expensive to be practicable.What is needed then is a relatively inexpensive device that dynamicallydisplays information from a package delivery database in a humanreadable form on a package to provide routing and/or handlinginformation.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to various embodiments, a shipping label of the inventioncomprises an electronically updateable visual display that can beupdated throughout the shipping process to provide handling instructionsto human package service providers. The shipping label can carry aunique package identifier which can be located on the visual display, ina radio frequency identification tag component of the label, or on astandard paper component of the shipping label. The unique packageidentifier can be a barcode, stored in the memory of a radio frequencyidentification tag, or stored in other machine readable forms.

In one embodiment the shipping label comprises an electronicallyupdateable visual display and standard paper, and the unique packageidentifier is stored in the form of a barcode on the standard paper.

In another embodiment, the shipping label comprises an electronicallyupdateable visual display and a radio frequency identification tag, andthe unique package identifier is stored in the memory of radio frequencyidentification tag. The radio frequency identification tag can beconfigured to transmit the package identifier upon being interrogated byan external device.

In yet another embodiment, the shipping label can include anelectronically updateable visual display, standard paper, and a radiofrequency identification tag.

In those embodiments that include a radio frequency identification tag,the radio frequency identification tag can be of the read only type, orit can be writeable, rewriteable, and erasable. Where the radiofrequency identification tag is writeable, rewriteable, and erasable, aportion of the memory of the radio frequency identification tag can bemapped to the visual display in such a way that writing to the memory ofthe radio frequency identification tag causes the visual display to beupdated. The shipping label can include an electric field generatorlocated behind the updateable visual display to create an electric fieldthat operates to change the output of the visual display. The electricfield generator can be configured to create an electric field based on aportion of the writeable memory of the radio frequency identificationtag.

In various embodiments, the display can be configured to show one colorwhere a positive electric field is applied to an area on the visualdisplay, and a second color where a negative electric field is applied.The visual display can be configured to retain its output after theelectric field is removed. The visual display can comprise electronicpaper. The label can be configured to be updated by an external labelinterface device capable of generating an electric field.

In embodiments in which the updateable visual display compriseselectronic paper, the label can include a guide for spatially orientingthe external device with respect to the updateable visual display. Theguide can be configured to slideably interface with an external device.For this purpose, the external device has an area for generating anelectric field that is smaller than the surface area of the visualdisplay. The label can include physical features for communicating adistance to an external device configured to slideably interface withthe label. Alternatively, the external device can be configured tomeasure its movement relative to the label without the need formeasuring features to be located on the label.

In some embodiments in which the label device comprises an electricfield generator, voltage can be applied to the electric field generatorthrough a plurality of terminals accessible by an external device.Voltage applied to the external pins can cause the electric fieldgenerator to apply an electric field to the visual display, changing itsoutput.

In another embodiment, the invented shipping label comprises anelectronically updateable display, a processor, a memory, and a wirelessradio. A unique package identifier can be stored in the memory, and theprocessor can be configured to transmit the unique package identifier toan external device through the wireless radio. The processor can befurther configured to receive instructions from an external device andto update the visual display.

The invented label can be powered by an internal power source such as abattery, or powered through an inductive power source, a capacitivepower source, or through power input terminals.

Also disclosed herein is a device for updating a shipping label havingan updateable visual display. The label interface device can include anelectric field generator and a communication device for exchanging datawith an external device such as an external computer. The device can beconfigured to update a visual display comprising electronic paper. Thedevice can also include an optical scanner for reading a barcode of theshipping label. Some embodiments of the label interface device caninclude a radio frequency identification tag reader.

A processor of the label interface device can be configured to activatean optical scanner of the interface device to obtain a unique packageidentifier from a barcode of a shipping label, form a database querybased on the package identifier, send the query to a computer database,receive a query response from the computer database, and update thevisual display based on the information received from the computerdatabase.

A processor of the label interface device can be configured to activatea radio frequency identification tag reader of the interface device toobtain a unique package identifier from a radio frequency identificationtag of a shipping label, form a database query based on the packageidentifier, send the query to a computer database, receive a queryresponse from the computer database, and update the visual display basedon the information received from the computer database.

In some embodiments in which the label interface device includes anelectric field generator, the label interface device can be configuredto slideably interface with the invented shipping label. The labelinterface device can include a distance measuring device for measuringmovement of the electric field generator relative to the visual display.The label interface device can be configured to modify the output of theelectric field generator based on the measured relative movement.

A system for shipping packages implementing the invented label and labelinterface device can include a shipping database, a package having anelectronically updateable visual display and a machine readable packageidentifier, and at least one device configured to read the packageidentifier. The system also includes memory and a processor configuredto form a database query based on the package identifier and retrievepackage data from the shipping database corresponding to the package.The system further includes at least one device configured to update thevisual display with information based on the package data retrieved fromthe database.

A method of routing a package from an origin to a destination using theinvented label and label interface device can comprise affixing apackage shipping label having an electronically updateable visualdisplay to the package, affixing a machine-readable package identifierto the package, and electronically writing package handling instructionsto the updateable visual display in a human perceivable form to provideshipping instructions to human package service providers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn toscale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a shipping label according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 shows a shipping label of the invented shipping label having anRFID tag.

FIG. 3 depicts a shipping label according to the present inventionhaving a barcode on the updateable visual display.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the invented label having an updateablevisual display and an RFID tag without a standard paper component.

FIG. 5 illustrates various options for supplying power to the inventedlabel.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the invented label including a guide forinterfacing an external device with the invented label.

FIGS. 7A-7E illustrate a guide for physically orienting an externaldevice relative to the updatable visual display of an invented shippinglabel.

FIG. 8 shows a label interface device having an electric field generatorwith a surface area at least as large as the surface area of theupdateable visual display with which it is interfacing.

FIGS. 9A-9E illustrate an embodiment of a guide that incorporates ridgesfor physically orienting an external device relative to the updatablevisual display of an invented shipping label.

FIG. 10 depicts a label interface device having an electric fieldgenerator with a surface area less than the surface area of theupdateable visual display with which it is interfacing.

FIG. 11 depicts components of an embodiment of the invented shippinglabel where the shipping label includes a processor.

FIG. 12 illustrates a shipping label according to the present inventionincorporating external electrodes for updating the shipping label'svisual display.

FIG. 13 shows a guide for an updateable visual display having a magneticstrip for communicating relative position to a label interface device.

FIG. 14 depicts components of a label interface device according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 15 depicts a system capable of querying a database and updating thevisual display of the invented label.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart describing a method for updating the informationshown on the invented shipping label.

FIG. 17 shows a package shipping procedure incorporating the inventedlabel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present inventions now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not allembodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions may beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legalrequirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which theseinventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is tobe understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specificembodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments areintended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a genericand descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

The present invention is described below with reference to blockdiagrams and flowchart illustrations of methods, apparatus (i.e.,systems) and computer program products according to an embodiment of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the block diagramsand flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the blockdiagrams and flowchart illustrations, respectively, can be implementedby computer program instructions. These computer program instructionsmay be loaded onto a general purpose computer, special purpose computer,or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine,such that the instructions which execute on the computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus create means for implementing thefunctions specified in the system or flowchart blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in aprocessor-readable memory that can direct a computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the memory produce anarticle of manufacture including instruction means which implement thefunction specified in the flowchart block or blocks. The computerprogram instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operationalsteps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus toproduce a computer implemented process such that the instructions whichexecute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide stepsfor implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block orblocks.

Accordingly, blocks of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrationssupport combinations of means for performing the specified functions,combinations of steps for performing the specified functions and programinstruction means for performing the specified functions. It will alsobe understood that each block of the block diagrams and flowchartillustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams andflowchart illustrations, can be implemented by special purposehardware-based computer systems which perform the specified functions orsteps, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computerinstructions.

The invented device comprises a label that integrates a machine-readablelabel or tag with an updateable visual display. In use, scanning,interrogating or otherwise reading the machine-readable tag provides anidentifier for the object on which the label is placed. The identifiercan be a unique package identifier such as a shipping company's packagetracking number. This information can then be used to retrieveinformation regarding the object that is stored in a computer database.Information retrieved from the database can then be used to update thevisual display. The result is a versatile, dynamic label that can beused in parcel shipping and delivery applications and/or for inventorymanagement.

An example of the invented device is shown in FIG. 1. The integratedlabel 100 includes a portion made of standard paper 105 and anupdateable visual display portion 110 that can be updated to displayhuman-readable information. The standard paper portion of the labelincludes a machine-readable barcode 115. The updateable display portion110 shown in FIG. 1 is depicted as displaying “AR10”.

The updateable visual display is human readable. That is, the displaypresents information in a form that is perceptible to the human eye. Thetype of updateable display can be any of a number of types of humanreadable displays. Examples of such displays can include, but are notlimited to, liquid crystal displays, light emitting diode displays,vacuum fluorescent displays, and active matrix displays. These displaysare generally electronically writable, rewriteable, and erasable.

The aforementioned displays are well known in the art and can be used asthe updateable human readable display portion of the invented device.The widespread use of such displays as package identification labels,shipping labels, or as portions thereof may not be practicable due tothe cost of the display devices themselves, the cost to provide adequatepower to keep the devices functional, and/or the fragility of thedisplays. This is especially true for embodiments of the presentinvention that are intended to be disposable. Where the device isintended to be reusable, liquid crystal displays, light emitting diodedisplays, vacuum fluorescent displays, and active matrix displays aremore likely to be of more practical use as the updateable visual displayof the invented device.

Newer display technologies have recently been developed that canpotentially provide lower cost, more power efficiency, and more ruggeddisplays. The newer display technologies comprise electronic media thatmore closely resemble the appearance of actual paper in thickness andcontrast, as compared to the aforementioned technologies, and stillprovide the ability to electronically write, re-write, and erase thedisplay. Such electronic media is now commercially available. Thiselectronic media potentially offers a relatively high contrast ratio,lower cost per display, lower power requirements, and higher durabilitythat the previously mentioned electronically updateable displaytechnologies.

One commercially available form of electronic media comprises a numberof small spheres disposed between upper and lower layers of plastic. Thespheres, or beads, have one black colored hemisphere and one whitecolored hemisphere. The black and white hemispheres contain oppositecharges so that they can be rotated through electronic manipulation toform the desired visual display.

Another commercially available version of electronic media comprises anumber of small liquid filled capsules. Along with the transparentliquid, the capsules contain oppositely charged white and blackparticles that float freely within the liquid. By applying an electricfield the white or black particles can alternatively be forced to thesurface or to the bottom of the capsules to create the desired visualdisplay.

Forms of electronic media such as these and any similar technologieswill be collectively referred to as “electronic paper” throughout theremainder of this disclosure. The electronic paper technologies requirethat power be applied to generate the electric field for creating oraltering the image shown on the visual display. The generated image isgenerally static until another electric field is applied. This reduced,intermittent power requirement is beneficial for use in the inventeddevice as will be seen. As will be appreciated by one of skill in theart, media incorporating material that can be magnetically manipulatedin similar manner as the electronic paper described above can also beused as the updateable visual display of the present invention.

The machine-readable label or tag included on or in the device cancomprise any label or tag that is capable of being read, scanned, and/orinterrogated by a machine or computer. Examples of such labels or tagsare barcodes as shown in FIG. 1, multi-dimensional barcodes known inthat art such as a Maxicode symbol, and radio frequency identification(RFID) tags.

The invented device shown in FIG. 1 is depicted as using electronicpaper for its updateable visual display 110. The text message 120 isdrawn as being comprised of dots, but the effect is exaggerated in thefigure. Electronic paper can have much higher resolution such thatindividual spheres are imperceptible without magnification. Theelectronic paper form having the liquid filled capsules can even bepartially or fractionally addressed such that the capsule displays apixel or dot that is partially black and partially white. This canprovide even higher resolution. The updatable visual display is shown aselectronic paper, but as indicated above, other display technologies canbe used for the updateable visual display. The displays can incorporatecolor if desired. While color versions of electronic paper are notcurrently available, use of color capable electronic paper as theupdateable visual display is within the scope of the present invention.

The device can include more than one machine-readable label or tag ifdesired. In FIG. 2 a label according to the present invention is shownthat includes both a barcode 115 on standard paper 105 and an RFID tag200. The RFID tag of the label is depicted as being attached to thelabel behind the updateable visual display 110 of the label, but couldbe located beneath the standard paper 105, or beneath both the standardpaper 105 and the updateable visual display 110, or located on thesurface of the label.

In addition, optical character recognition (OCR) technology can beimplemented to allow a machine or computer to read numbers or text onthe invented label. This can make a number of areas of the inventedlabel machine-readable. Using OCR, however, is generally not as reliableas utilizing barcodes or RFID, such that the latter are preferred foruse in the invented device.

In some embodiments such as the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, where themachine-readable label or tag is an optical label, the machine-readablelabel can even be located on the electronically updateable visualdisplay. For example, through the application of an electric field, abar code 115 or other machine-readable label may be displayed on theelectronic paper 110. An optical scanning device such as a barcodereader can then be used to read the barcode displayed on the electronicpaper. As such, the invented device can be comprised entirely ofelectronic paper or other updateable visual display types so long as amachine or computer can read a portion of the invented label. Indeed, anentire shipping label can be comprised of electronic paper or otherupdateable visual display type. Preferably though, paper or RFIDportions are included as well to ensure that a package can be identifiedin the event of an accidental erasure of the updateable visual display.

FIG. 4 shows yet another embodiment of the invented device whichincludes an updateable display 110 and an RFID tag 200 in which theinvented label has no standard paper component. FIG. 5 shows the labelof FIG. 2 along with a number of alternative power supply options toprovide power to the updateable visual display portion of the device. Abattery 500, can be used to power the display. If a battery is used asthe power supply for the device, the battery is preferably small andinexpensive at least in disposable label embodiments. A reusable label,as mentioned previously, is within the scope of the invention. Areusable label according to the invention could have a larger battery asits power supply. In addition, the use of display technologies suchliquid crystal displays, light emitting diode displays, vacuumfluorescent displays, and active matrix displays as the updateablevisual display of the invention might be more practical in a reusableform of the invention and these would likely require the use of a largerbattery or batteries.

An inductive power source 505 is also shown. Placing the coil in anelectromagnetic field or generation of an electromagnetic field near thecoil creates an electrical current through the coil to supply power tothe device. RFID tags also use inductive coupling for power. A labelaccording to the present invention that includes an RFID tag can beconfigured such that a single coil powers both the RFID tag and theupdatable visual display. Capacitive powering techniques are alsopossible. Another technique for powering the device is through the useof externally accessible electrical terminals 510 as shown in FIG. 5.The use of these terminals would require that physical contact be madebetween the contacts and an external power source.

Some embodiments of the invented label do not require the power sourcesdepicted in FIG. 5. As will be shown, a label interface device accordingto the present invention can include an electric field generator that,when placed in proximity to the updateable visual display, will write tothe visual display.

A number of methods can be used to make the image or text displayed onthe updateable visual display device. These vary with the type ofdisplay technology used to implement the updateable visual display.Methods of displaying an image on liquid crystal displays, lightemitting diode displays, vacuum fluorescent displays, and active matrixdisplays are well known in the art and will not be described here. Asmentioned previously, an electric field creates the image displayed byelectronic paper. The application of a positive or negative charge inthe vicinity of the electronic paper causes the spheres to rotate in thetwo colored sphere form of electronic paper, and causes the pigmentedparticles to move within the capsules of the liquid filled capsule formof electronic paper. An electric field that alternates between positiveand negative applied across the surface of the electronic paper in thecorrect locations can cause the desired output image to be displayed onthe electronic paper. This image then remains on the electronic paperafter the electric field is removed. This image is static and isdisplayed until the application of a different electric field alters theimage.

The updateable visual display of the invented apparatus can be writtento in a number of ways. For example, a writer device having a surfacecapable of generating a localized electric field can be used. Such asurface may be referred to herein as an electric field generator. Thedevice would be able to create positive or negative charges across agrid of points on this surface. The area of the surface having the gridof charged points would be equal to the area of the electronic paperthat is being written. The positive and negative charges would appear onthe grid in the shape of the image that is to be written to theelectronic paper. By bringing the writer device near the electronicpaper, the shape represented by the electric field on the grid istransferred to the electronic paper through the repulsion and attractionof charges located on the pigmented spheres or particles within theelectronic paper.

FIG. 6 shows a shipping label 100 having standard paper portion 105, andupdateable display portion 110. The standard paper of the label shownincludes ‘ship to’ and ‘ship from’ addresses, and three machine-readablebarcodes (one of which is a multidimensional barcode). The updateabledisplay portion is depicted as displaying “Conveyor 3”. As will bedescribed later this is an instruction to a human package servicesprovider to place the package on a specific conveyor belt. The shippinglabel shown also includes a guide 600 having posts 605 a-605 d. Theguide can comprise plastic or other solid material. The purpose of theguide is to positionally orient an external device, such as a labelinterface device, relative to the updateable visual display of theshipping label.

FIG. 7A shows a perspective view of an updateable visual display 110 anda guide 600 having posts 605 a-605 d. Although the guide shown has fourposts, less or more can be used. FIGS. 7B-7E show alternative postconfigurations that can be used on the guide. FIG. 7B shows a posthaving a rectangular cross section and its compatible recess. The recesswould be located on the external interface device to receive the post ofthe guide. Alternatively, the recess can be located on the guide and thepost on the external device, or combinations of multiple recesses andposts can be placed on either the guide or the external device. FIG. 7Cshows a post and recess having a circular cross section. FIG. 7D shows apost and recess having a keyed circular cross section. Keying can beused to further dictate the positional orientation of the externaldevice relative to the updateable visual display. FIG. 7E shows atapered post and recess. Tapering can be used to reduce the accuracyrequired to initially interface an external device with the guide.

FIG. 8 depicts a label interface device 800 according to the presentinvention having an electric field generator 815 with a surface area atleast as large as the surface area of the updateable visual display 110.The label interface device is shown having posts 810 a and 810 b thatcan be inserted into recesses 805 a and 805 b. In this embodiment, theelectric field generator of the label interface device is held inproximity to the electronic paper of the updateable visual display. Alimit switch on the label interface device can be used to detect thatthe device is in position. The electric field generator is configured toapply an electric field that causes the electronic paper to display apattern. The pattern preferably includes human perceivable routinginstructions. The instructions preferably appear large enough to beperceived with a quick glance. Brevity of the instructions may alsoreduce the time needed to comprehend their meaning—leading to increasedshipping productivity.

An alternative writer device can comprise a device with a surfacecapable of generating a localized electric field that is smaller in areathan the updatable display device of the present invention. To write animage across the entire electronic paper, the writer can be moved overseparate sections of the electronic paper with the electric fieldgenerated by the writer being changed as it is moved.

FIG. 9A shows an updateable visual display 110 with a guide 600. Theguide shown has ridges 900 a and 900 b. FIGS. 9B, 9C, and 9D showalternative ridge structures and their corresponding groove or matingstructure. FIG. 9E shows a tapered groove that can be used to reduce theaccuracy required for initially orienting the label interface devicerelative to the updateable display device. The structures shown in FIGS.9A-9E can be used to allow a label interface device to slideablyinterface with an updateable display device. That is, the structuresallow for the label interface device to be positionally oriented to theupdateable display as an electric field generator of the label interfacedevice is drawn across the surface of the updateable display.

FIG. 10 shows a label interface device 1005 having an electric fieldgenerator 1015 that has a surface area less than the surface area of theupdateable display. The guide structures 1000 a and 1000 b can interlockwith the guide structures 1010 a and 1010 b on the label interfacedevice. The label interface device can then be drawn across theupdateable display while the interlocked structures keep the electricfield generator 1015 in a plane that is parallel the to the plane of theupdateable display. As the label interface device slides, its electricfield generator is configured to change with the distance it has beenmoved. Measurement of movement can be accomplished through the use of amagnetic strip located on the label and a magnetic reader on the labelinterface device. Alternatively, the ridge structures can have holesformed in them, and the label interface device can incorporate anoptical device with a light source and receiver to sense pulsating lightas the light from the light source is alternately blocked and thenpassed through the structure. Yet another configuration can implementalternating areas of contrast located on the label along the dimensionthat the label interface device is sliding that can be opticallydetected. Contact devices such as wheels or roller balls can be used aswell. A user of the label interface device can then “swipe” the labelinterface device across the updateable display and cause the display toshow a pattern.

An abstraction of a writer device having a smaller surface area than theelectronic paper is a writer device having a single linear row of chargepoints instead of a grid. Ideally, the writer has a dimension that isequal to the length of one of the dimensions of the electronic paper.That is, either the width or the height of the electronic paper to bewritten. The linear writer can then be moved across the surface of theelectronic paper. As the writer is “swiped” across the electronic paper,the electric field generated by the linear row of points can be variedto create the desired image on the electronic paper.

FIG. 11 shows a label interface device 1105 that implements a pivotingmotion to update the visual display 110. The post/recess interface at1100 in this embodiment is configured such that the post structure onthe label interface device sits in the recess of the guide 600. The poststructure remains static, while the rest of the label interface devicepivots about point 1100. This motion causes the electric field generatorof the label interface device to sweep across the surface of theupdateable display. The electric field generator is configured to applyan electric field to the updateable display that changes over the courseof the arc to write a pattern to the updateable display. The motion ofthe label interface device relative to the updateable display can bemeasured through gearing at the post structure or through a magneticreader 1115 configured to read the magnetic strip 1110 located on thelabel.

Another option for writing to the electronic paper is utilizing a numberof externally accessible conductor pins, electrical contacts, electrodesor the like that connect to a grid of points located behind, or withinthe electronic paper. A writing device that connects to the pins couldthen selectively apply an electric field to these pins to cause theelectronic paper to display the desired image. An example of thisarrangement is shown in FIG. 12. Here two (2), seven segment displays1205 have been formed of conductive material and placed under theelectronic paper of the updateable display. A positive or negativevoltage applied to the respective pins can cause the electronic paper todisplay patterns similar to those of a seven segment LED display.Superior resolution of patterns can be achieved by increasing the numberof pins and addressable areas behind the electronic paper.

It should be understood that the writer devices can be handheld ormounted in a stationary position so that packages having the inventedlabel are brought to them either by human carrying or through themovement of a conveyer belt or other mechanical method.

Yet another method of writing to the updateable display device of thepresent invention incorporates a writable or rewritable RFID tag. Aportion of the writable memory contained RFID tag is mapped to theupdateable visual display. This mapped portion of the RFID tag iswritten to using known RFID writing techniques. The updateable visualdisplay is made to display information representative of the data storedin the mapped area of the RFID memory either at the time the RFID tag iswritten to or at some later time. The power required to change theupdateable visual display can come from the power supplied to the RFIDthrough its integrated inductor. Alternatively, the updateable visualdisplay can have a separate power source. This source can be an inductor(separate from the RFID inductor) connected to the updateable visualdisplay, or a battery, or any other power supply previously mentioned.

As mentioned above, the updateable display device may not necessarily beupdated at the same time that the portion of the RFID tag mapped to thedisplay is written to. In embodiments in which the updateable displaydevice is electronic paper, the information can remain stored in theRFID tag until the updateable display device is refreshed by supplyingpower to it. The updateable display device can be implemented as an LCD,LED, active matrix display, or the like. These types of displays can beconfigured to show the information contained in the mapped portion ofthe RFID tag intermittently. For example, the display can be activatedby pressing a button.

Another alternative configuration of the invented device includes aprocessor, and processor-readable memory coupled to the updateablevisual display. This configuration is shown in FIG. 13. A processor 1300is shown connected to bus 1305. Power is supplied to the device by powersource 1310. The power source is preferably one or more batteries inthis configuration. The processor 1300 communicates with the memory 1315over the bus. In addition, the device preferably includes a wirelesschipset or radio 1325. The wireless chipset can comprise a mobilechipset such as those used in wireless phones, an IEEE 802.11x chipset,a Bluetooth™ chipset, or communicate using other standards known in theart. Due to the cost of the components, this configuration is likelymost useful in a reusable application. This configuration would notrequire a machine-readable label (such as a barcode) or tag (such as anRFID tag) (although either or both can be included) as the processorwould be capable of communicating a package identifier to a remotesystem via the wireless chipset—the identifier being stored in thememory.

The video adapter 1320 is drawn with a dotted line in FIG. 13 to denotethat such an adapter may not be necessary. If the updateable displaydevice 110 comprises electronic paper, for example, a video adapter maynot be necessary. This would also be true if the display comprises asimple monochrome LCD display like the type used in wrist watches, forexample. The video adapter may be needed where the updateable visualdisplay 110 comprises a color active matrix LCD display like those usedin notebook computers, or handheld PDAs, or cellphones, for example. Ifthe display 110 is a color display, information can be presented in acoding scheme, in which, for example, higher priority shipments, such asnext day shipments, display information in red to denote their prioritystatus. Color coding could be used to denote that a package is on trackto meet its scheduled delivery time, or is behind schedule.

A global positioning satellite (GPS) or other satellite positioningsystem receiver (not shown) can also be included in the embodiment shownin FIG. 13. A GPS receiver can determine its location by measuringsignals from satellites in orbit around the earth. This information canbe communicated to the processor 1300. The processor can use thisinformation to provide additional information on the updateable display,or transmit information over the wireless chipset to other devices. Forexample, the current location of the package could be reported to acomputer and stored in the shipping company database. Informationdisplayed on the updateable display using the GPS information caninclude distance to the destination, and distance traveled from theorigin location.

The label device according to the present invention can be used for amyriad of purposes in which it would be advantageous to have ahuman-readable display that can be changed over time or throughout aprocess such as package delivery. The device is preferably used inprocesses, such as package delivery, which physically transfer an itemor items from one location to another. In such a process, the inventedlabel is preferably affixed to the package being transported. The labelcan alternatively, or additionally, be attached to a crate, pallet, orthe like. The invented device allows instructive information to bevisually displayed in a human-readable form to facilitate proper routingand/or handling of the package.

A label interface device has also been invented for updating theelectronic shipping label with an updateable visual display. FIG. 14shows an embodiment of a label interface device according to the presentinvention. The label interface device comprises processor 1400 connectedto bus 1410. The processor communicates with memory 1415 over the bus.Power is supplied by the power source 1420. The power source can be abattery, or the device can receive power from an external power supply.The processor also communicates over the bus to the video adapter 1425which displays information on the display 1430. The display can be anyof the aforementioned display types or any type of display technologyknown in the art. The device can communicate with external devices usingthe network interface card 1435 or serial connection 1440. The devicecan also include a wireless chipset 1445 such as an IEEE 802.11compatible chipset or a Bluetooth™ compatible chipset for communicatingwith other devices. RFID reader and/or writer 1450 can be used tointerrogate RFID tags and write to writeable RFID tags. Electric fieldgenerator 1455 can be used to update the visual display of labels wherethe updateable visual display comprises electronic paper. The electricfield generator may include a limit switch for determining that theelectric field generator is oriented correctly over the electronicpaper. The electric field generator may include mechanical, optical, ormagnetic means for measuring distance, as described above, where thesurface area of the electric field generator is less than the surfacearea of the electronic paper being updated. The label interface devicecan additionally include an optical scanner 1460 for reading barcodes.

It should be understood that the label interface device may not have allof the components shown in FIG. 14. The label interface device can be awireless handheld unit comprising a processor that communicates with ashipping company database, or a wired device that plugs into a serialport of another device such as a personal computer to allow that deviceto update the invented label.

The invention also includes a method of using an updateable visualdisplay attached to an item to route that item to a destination. Itshould be understood that while this method can be used with theinvented device described above, this method can also be used in caseswhere the updateable visual display and the machine-readable label ortag are not integrated. That is, the invented method can be used wherean updateable visual display is not integrated with a machine-readablelabel or tag. For example, the updateable visual display can be separatefrom any machine-readable labels or tags containing package identifiers.A machine-readable label, for example, can be affixed to one side of apackage being shipped while the updateable visual display is affixed toa different side of the package box. In such a case, the method is stillvalid and novel even though the updateable visual display, and themachine-readable label or tag are not part of an integrated device(except for the extent that being affixed to the same package makes themintegrated.)

FIG. 15 shows an example of a system 1525 that can be used in theinvented method for updating the visual display device attached to thepackage being shipped according to the invented method. Personalcomputer 1500 is connected to optical input device 1505 and RFIDinput/output device 1510. Both of these devices are not required. Aunique package identifier can be obtained from either of theseperipheral devices. In addition, numerous other types of input devicescapable of obtaining a unique package identifier can be used. Thecomputer 1500 is connected to a network 1515 that is in turn connectedto at least one database 1520. The connections between devices in thesystem are not necessarily hard-wired, but can include wireless linksfor any or all portions thereof. It should be understood that thecomputer 1500 and any input devices can be integrated into a singledevice, such as a handheld device.

A label 100 having an updateable visual display, a barcode, and an RFIDtag is shown in proximity to the input devices 1505 and 1510. The labelis affixed to a package being shipped according to the invented method.The label is shown having an integrated machine-readable label and anupdateable visual display. As mentioned previously, however, this is notrequired. The machine-readable label(s) and the updateable visualdisplay can be affixed to different portions of the package beingshipped.

Either the optical input device 1505 or the RFID device 1510 is used toobtain at least a package identifier from the machine-readable portionsof the label or tag. The optical input device 1505 can obtain anidentifier by scanning a barcode on the label, or the RFID device canactivate the RFID tag in the label to cause it to transmit informationidentifying the package to the RFID device. This step is shown as step1600 in FIG. 16. The computer 1500 then forms a database query based onthe information obtained from the package. The query is sent over thenetwork 1515 to the database 1520. A single database server is depictedin FIG. 15. Multiple servers, however, may be queried. Parcel shippingcompanies generally have multiple systems that store informationregarding packages being handled by the company. A query of multipledatabase systems is within the scope of the invention. This is step 1605shown in the flowchart of FIG. 16. The computer 1500 can optionallyinclude information regarding the present location of the package in itsquery. Package location information may not be needed if recent locationscans have been performed that reported the location of the package tothe database server(s)/system(s). The IP address or other network ID ofthe computer 1500 can serve as the location information.

The database 1520 searches one or more tables based on the packageidentifier information in the query (and this again can include a searchof multiple databases). Once the database locates the record or recordsassociated with the package identifier, detailed information regardingthe package from those records is returned to the processor of computer1500 as is shown in step 1610 of FIG. 16. The information can be asnarrow as a single routing instruction or as broad as each item ofinformation stored in the database regarding the package associated withthat package identifier.

If only a routing instruction is to be returned, then the database 1520(or an intermediate system not shown) performs an analysis based on thedestination of the package and its current location to determine how itshould be routed. The routing determination can also includeconsideration of a number of parameters including, but not limited to,the class of service of the package, the current configuration of thehub in which the package is located, and the travel schedules ofvehicles departing the hub. Many other logistical factors which areknown in the parcel shipping industry can be included in the routingdetermination.

If the information returned to computer 1500 comprises detailedinformation regarding the package, but no routing instructions, then theprocessor in computer 1500 can determine the proper routing for thepackage based on the information from the database 1520.

Once a proper course of action regarding the routing of the package hasbeen determined, the routing instructions can be indicated on theupdateable visual display attached to the package as is shown in step1615 of FIG. 16. The instructions can be as simple as a brief codeindicating, for example, a conveyor belt on which the package should beplaced, or as complex as a few sentences or a paragraph, for example,giving detailed instructions regarding the routing of the package.

The writing of the instructions to the updateable visual display canoccur in a number of ways discussed above regarding the discussion ofthe invented label. An electronic paper writing device may be placed inclose proximity to the display to change the display using an electricfield, for example, or the RFID device 1510 can be used, for example, towrite information to the RFID tag. In the latter case, the RFID memorycontaining the routing instructions is mapped to the updateable visualdisplay. Methods of powering this process are also discussed aboveregarding the invented label. The instructions written to the updatablevisual display should be perceptible by a human.

After the routing information is written to the updateable display, ahuman package service provider reads the routing instructions on thevisual display in step 1620 of FIG. 16. The package service providerthen takes an action consistent with the instructions shown to route thepackage in step 1625.

This method eliminates, or at least reduces, the need for packageservice providers to visually scan a zip code, for example, on a packageand recall from memory where packages shipped to that zip code should berouted within a hub facility. It should also be recognized that while itwould likely not be optimum, the system 1525 could be implementedlocally at a hub location. For example, the database on server 1520could be located in the memory of computer 1500.

FIG. 17 depicts an embodiment of the method of the current invention inuse. A cargo plane 1710 carrying a package 1700 is shown in the upperleft of FIG. 17. Following dotted line S1, this plane lands at a packagedelivery company's hub facility 1780. The plane 1710 is shown outside ofthe hub 1780, but the plane 1710 could be inside a hangar of the hubfacility 1780.

The package 1700 is shown having an electronic shipping label 100 comingdown a ramp from the cargo plane 1710. In the embodiment of FIG. 17, thepackage identifier is obtained using RFID, and the updateable visualdisplay portion of the electronic shipping label is written using awritable RFID tag that has at least some portion of its memory mapped tothe display. Following the dotted line S2, the package is brought nearthe electronic shipping label interface writing system 1525. The RFIDreader energizes the coil located in the RFID tag embedded in theelectronic shipping label 100, causing it to transmit at least a packageidentifier to the reader. The identifier is then transferred to acomputer (not shown) that queries the parcel shipping companydatabase(s) for information regarding the package 1700. Packageinformation is returned to the computer. This information contains therouting code “CV03”. This code, can indicate, for example, that thepackage should be placed on conveyor CV03 which is the conveyor belt1730 shown in the figure. The computer, using the RFID writer, causes“CV03” to be placed on the updateable visual display portion 110 of theelectronic shipping label 100. The package service provider 1715 looksat the updateable visual portion 110 of the electronic shipping label100 to determine which of the three conveyor belts 1720, 1725, and 1730to place the package 1700. The package service provider sees CV03 andplaces the package 1700 on the conveyor belt 1730 which leads to packagetruck 1745.

Following dotted line S4, the package truck 1745 travels to another hubfacility 1790 and the package 1700 is unloaded and carried near theelectronic shipping label interface system 1525 located at the hubfacility 1790. At this stage, the package service provider 1750 ischarged with determining which packages should be routed to a number ofpackage delivery cars, 1755, 1760, and 1765. Following the previouslydescribed process, “PC02” is displayed on the updateable visual displayportion 110 of the electronic shipping label 100. The package serviceprovider 1750 reads this instruction and places the package 1700 nearthe loading area for package car 2 (PC02), 1760.

In the loading area for package car 1760, the package service provider1770 has the responsibility of loading the package car 1760. In order tofacilitate delivery of the packages that will be loaded into the packagecar, the packages are placed, for example, in specific parts of thecar's cargo area corresponding to areas on the package car's route. Theelectronic shipping label interface system 1725 located near the rear ofpackage car 1760 causes “B23” to be written to the updateable visualdisplay 110 of the electronic shipping label 100. B23 refers to aspecific location within the package car 1760. The package serviceprovider reads the updateable visual display portion 100 of theelectronic shipping label 100 to determine where to place the package inthe package car 1760, and places the package 1700 in the area designatedas B23.

The dynamic nature of the label of the present invention and theupdateable visual display as used in the invented method allows parceldelivery companies to offer new services to their customers and even anew method of shipping packages.

While a package is in route to its destination, the shipper or recipientcould request that the package either be returned to the shipper,shipped to a different address than the address first requested, or thatthe level of service on the package be changed. It is possible forcustomers to make these requests now. The shipping company, however, maynot be able to fulfill these requests while the package is in route, ormay not be able to do so efficiently.

By using the invented device, and/or method, a customer can request oneof these changes to the shipping process and have that request reflectedin the shipping company's database or databases. If the package involvedhas an electronic shipping label attached to it, the routinginstructions provided on the updatable visual display can implement theproper routing to comply with the customer request.

For example, a manufacturer of products on the west coast can ship apackaged order to a location of a retail chain in Atlanta, Ga. After thepackage has been shipped, but before it has reached Atlanta, themanufacturer is contacted by a manager of the retail chain who informsthe manufacturer that the supply of the product in Atlanta issufficient, but the chain's Baltimore, Md. location has sold out of theproduct. The manufacturer can then contact the shipping company torequest that the destination of the package be changed from the retailchain's Atlanta location to the address of the Baltimore location. Oncethe shipping company makes the changes in its database(s), the routinginstructions displayed on the electronic label are then proper for thenew destination address. The products reach the retail chain's Baltimorelocation sooner than would have been possible without the use of anelectronic shipping label. It is possible to do this on apackage-by-package basis so that if 50 packages were sent to Atlanta, 25could be diverted to Baltimore instead of the entire shipment, so longas the packages have their own electronic shipping label.

A new manner of shipping packages is also made possible by the inventeddevice and method. Packages can be shipped without a destination. Thatis, packages can be placed in the package delivery process without theshipper indicating where the packages are to be shipped. Recall, that inthe example of the product manufacturer above, the manufacturer islocated on the west coast, and the retail chain has numerous locationson the east coast. The manufacturer could have packages picked up forshipping at the manufacturing facility without designating a destinationlocation for these packages. The manufacturer may, however, need toindicate a general direction or a general area where the packages shouldbe sent. While the packages are heading toward the east coast themanufacturer receives an email from the retail chain that indicates thenumber of products required at each of its locations. The manufacturercan then contact the shipping company with this information so that thedestinations of the packages already in transit can be updated in theshipping company database. The routing instructions displayed on theelectronic shipping label can then be used to send the package to thedesired destinations. Indeed, the entire shipping label on a package cancomprise electronic paper. The delivery address, sending address,tracking number, barcodes, etc., i.e., everything currently displayed ona shipping label can be printed on electronic paper so that it can bealtered throughout the shipping process.

1. A label interface device for updating a shipping label having anupdateable visual display, comprising: an electric field generatorconfigured for updating an electronically updateable visual display of ashipping label; a communication interface for receiving data from anexternal device for use by the electric field generator to update thevisual display of the shipping label; and a label interface device guidestructure, wherein the label interface device guide structure (a)comprises a ridge or (b) is defined by a groove, and the label interfacedevice guide structure is configured to (a) orient the label interfacedevice relative to the electronically updateable visual display of theshipping label and (b) engage a complementary guide structure (i)comprising a complementary ridge or (ii) defined by a complementarygroove on the shipping label.
 2. The label interface of claim 1 whereinthe updateable visual display comprises electronic paper, and theelectric field generator is configured to generate an electric field toupdate the visual display.
 3. The label interface device of claim 1further comprising: a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag readerfor reading a unique package identifier from an RFID tag on a packageassociated with the shipping label to retrieve the data representingrouting information from the external device to update the visualdisplay via the electric field generator.
 4. The label interface deviceof claim 1 further comprising: a processor connected to receive the datafrom the communication interface and to transmit the data to theelectric field generator; a memory connected to the processor andstoring instructions executed by the processor to receive the data fromthe communication interface and transmit the data to the electric fieldgenerator; and a power source for powering at least the processor andthe electric field generator.
 5. The label interface device of claim 4wherein: the communication interface comprises a wireless chipset forreceiving the data.
 6. The label interface device of claim 4 furthercomprising: a radio frequency identification tag reader forinterrogating a radio frequency identification tag of the shipping labelto generate a unique package identifier of a package with which theshipping label is associated, the processor using the unique packageidentifier to retrieve the data for updating the visual display from theexternal device based on the unique package identifier.
 7. The labelinterface device of claim 6 wherein the memory includes instructions fordirecting the processor to perform the steps of: activating the radiofrequency identification tag reader to obtain a unique packageidentifier from a radio frequency identification tag of the shippinglabel; forming a database query based on the unique package identifierobtained from the shipping label; sending the query to a computerdatabase via the communication interface; receiving a query responsefrom the computer database containing the data via the communicationinterface; and updating the visual display of the shipping label via theelectric field generator based on the data received from the computerdatabase.
 8. The label interface device of claim 1 wherein: the electricfield generator has a surface area at least as large as the surface areaof the visual display so that the data can be written to the visualdisplay without moving the electric field generator relative to thevisual display.
 9. The label interface device of claim 1 furthercomprising: a distance measurement device for measuring movement of theelectric field generator relative to the visual display to controloutput of the electric field generator based on the measured movement towrite the data to the visual display.
 10. The label interface device ofclaim 9 wherein: the distance measurement device comprises a magneticdistance measuring device configured to read a magnetic strip of theshipping label to determine the measured movement.
 11. A label interfacedevice for updating a shipping label having an updateable visualdisplay, comprising: an electric field generator configured for updatingan electronically updateable visual display of a shipping label; acommunication interface for receiving data from an external device foruse by the electric field generator to update the visual display of theshipping label; and a label interface device guide structure defined byat least one recess, wherein the label interface device guide structureis configured to (a) orient the label interface device relative to theelectronically updateable visual display of the shipping label and (b)engage a complementary guide structure comprising at least onecomplementary post on the shipping label.
 12. The label interface ofclaim 11 wherein the updateable visual display comprises electronicpaper, and the electric field generator is configured to generate anelectric field to update the visual display.
 13. The label interfacedevice of claim 11 further comprising: a radio frequency identification(RFID) tag reader for reading a unique package identifier from an RFIDtag on a package associated with the shipping label to retrieve the datarepresenting routing information from the external device to update thevisual display via the electric field generator.
 14. The label interfacedevice of claim 11 further comprising: a processor connected to receivethe data from the communication interface and to transmit the data tothe electric field generator; a memory connected to the processor andstoring instructions executed by the processor to receive the data fromthe communication interface and transmit the data to the electric fieldgenerator; and a power source for powering at least the processor andthe electric field generator.
 15. The label interface device of claim 14further comprising: a radio frequency identification tag reader forinterrogating a radio frequency identification tag of the shipping labelto generate a unique package identifier of a package with which theshipping label is associated, the processor using the unique packageidentifier to retrieve the data for updating the visual display from theexternal device based on the unique package identifier.
 16. The labelinterface device of claim 11 further comprising: a distance measurementdevice for measuring movement of the electric field generator relativeto the visual display to control output of the electric field generatorbased on the measured movement to write the data to the visual display.17. A label interface device for updating a shipping label having anupdateable visual display, comprising: an electric field generatorconfigured for updating an electronically updateable visual display of ashipping label; a communication interface for receiving data from anexternal device for use by the electric field generator to update thevisual display of the shipping label; and a label interface device guidestructure comprising at least one post, wherein the label interfacedevice guide structure is configured to (a) orient the label interfacedevice relative to the electronically updateable visual display of theshipping label and (b) engage a complementary guide structure defined byat least one complementary recess on the shipping label.
 18. The labelinterface of claim 17 wherein the updateable visual display compriseselectronic paper, and the electric field generator is configured togenerate an electric field to update the visual display.
 19. The labelinterface device of claim 17 further comprising: a radio frequencyidentification (RFID) tag reader for reading a unique package identifierfrom an RFID tag on a package associated with the shipping label toretrieve the data representing routing information from the externaldevice to update the visual display via the electric field generator.20. The label interface device of claim 17 further comprising: aprocessor connected to receive the data from the communication interfaceand to transmit the data to the electric field generator; a memoryconnected to the processor and storing instructions executed by theprocessor to receive the data from the communication interface andtransmit the data to the electric field generator; and a power sourcefor powering at least the processor and the electric field generator.21. The label interface device of claim 20 further comprising: a radiofrequency identification tag reader for interrogating a radio frequencyidentification tag of the shipping label to generate a unique packageidentifier of a package with which the shipping label is associated, theprocessor using the unique package identifier to retrieve the data forupdating the visual display from the external device based on the uniquepackage identifier.
 22. The label interface device of claim 17 furthercomprising: a distance measurement device for measuring movement of theelectric field generator relative to the visual display to controloutput of the electric field generator based on the measured movement towrite the data to the visual display.